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Day 1: We begin by digging into the first of three sections of the Core curriculum: Character. Then we workshop character treatments for the Protagonist from each writer’s story. Finally we go through a host of brainstorming exercises in which participants explore their respective stories.

Day 2: We interweave theory and practice, covering two other Core sections — Plot and Theme — as well as Prep exercises designed to help writers wrangle their stories.

Day 3: We spend a majority of time workshopping stories, each writer identifying major Plotline points to construct the spine of their story’s structure.

Day 4: Again most of the focus is on workshopping stories, the writers learning the benefits of index cards as we flesh out major plot and subplot elements, rounding them into shape toward a coherent, comprehensive outline.

After each day’s session, we carry on our conversations at a local watering hole, a chance to dig more deeply into stories, socialize, and have a great deal of fun together.

In other words, we pack a whole helluva lot into four days.

In addition, I create a private online site for workshop members where they introduce themselves before the weekend so we manage to hit the ground running, post exercises and feedback during the four day session, and continue the process after our time together, moving on into first drafts. Indeed, many of past Quest workshop participants have finished their scripts and are using the principles and practices they learned on new projects.

Here are a few observations from some of the writers involved in previous Quest Writing Workshops:

“I’ve taken many courses (both academic and recreational), and the workshop was just an excellent combination of practical knowledge mixed with personalized attention.” — Pat Suh

“The Workshop time was unbelievable; your ability to foster such a positive, encouraging environment for the exchange of ideas is the reason it worked. Every single person grew their story from a loose idea into something that resonated deeply with the group.” — Jonathan Barger

“Thank you again for gathering together such an interesting, diverse group of aspiring screenwriters and providing us all with such a wonderful shared learning and networking experience!” — Melanie McDonald

“As an advertising writer I’ve been in a million brainstorms. But Scott’s classes are special. They’re more like braincyclones, where we generated a mass of powerful ideas that elevated our stories into places that surprised and delighted us all.” — Matt Sherring

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Scott and the other participants in the inaugural Quest Writers’ Workshop. There was a palpable electricity in the air while we worked, the kind you wish you could bottle up to take a drag from whenever you need to be inspired.” — Lisa Meacham

“Thank you again for a great workshop, the results far exceeded my expectations. I can’t believe how far my story came in just a few days. The four-day course literally saved me months of planning!” — — Louise Baxter

“Scott is a fantastic teacher, and the energy amongst the Questers was palpable! Never have I been in such a positive creative environment in which everyone was genuinely interested in helping one another.” — Sarah Grimes

“I’m not trying to blow sunshine up your skirt when I say I got more out of those four days than I did all of grad school.” — Michelle Burleson

This is a real hands-on, immersive experience where we explore solid screenwriting theory, then put that theory into practice on your story, developing it from a concept into a full-blown narrative… all in four days.

If you enroll for the Santa Monica session by October 31, you qualify for an early bird discount of nearly $100. However judging from past experience, I recommend you sign up soon as enrollment is capped at 10 writers and the previous Santa Monica workshops have sold out.

If you have a story idea you believe is a strong one and you are passionate to write it…

If you like this blog and want more of the fundamentals of my approach to character based screenwriting…

If you want to learn a proven, professional approach to breaking a story in prep…

I encourage you to consider enrolling in my upcoming Quest Writing Workshop.

If you’d like more information, email me and I’ll be happy to forward you a workshop syllabus as well as answer any questions you may have. Or go here to sign up.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in this terrific workshop opportunity.

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